Queen’s match halted after fan suffers medical emergency on the brand new Andy Murray Arena

A match on the Queen’s Club’s centre court was brought to a halt after a spectator in the crowd suffered a medical emergency. 

The clash between Beatriz Haddad Maia and Emma Navarro was forced to pause during the tiebreak after medics rushed to help the fan. 

The historic venue in west London is playing host to a tour-level women’s tournament for the first time in over 52 years, one week ahead of the well-established men’s event. 

Navarro as the number-three seed was given a first-round bye, but was being put to the test by Brazilian star Haddad Maia. 

The 29-year-old claimed the first set 6-1 as Navarro looked to be struggling two weeks on from her shock first-round exit at the French Open.

But the American star battled back in the second set, forcing a tiebreak between the two players.  

The opening match on Wednesday at the Andy Murray Arena was brought to a halt after a medical emergency in the stands

Emma Navarro was a set down and trailing in the tiebreak when a fan appeared to faint

Her opponent Beatriz Haddad Maia lost her lead with play taken to a decider after the restart

But at the climax of the set, both players were forced to suspend play at the change of ends. 

As per coverage on the BBC, a fan in the stands had fainted and was quickly attended to by onsite medical support. 

The umpire Robert Balmforth was seen identifying that someone had taken ill, before BBC coverage cut away to general pictures. 

‘This does happen from time to time, I think someone has been taken unwell in the North Stand so we will pause for a moment as they change ends in this tiebreak for the first time,’ BBC commentary informed viewers.  

When play resumed after the short pause, Navarro swiped back the 4-2 lead from Haddad Maia, claiming the set and forcing a decider. 

Queen’s centre court was formally renamed the Andy Murray Arena on Monday, with the sporting icon on hand to inaugurate it in a special ceremony before the day’s play. 

Murray revealed during a brief question and answer session that he had a special connection to the last women’s winner of a tournament – an honour which dates back to 1973. 

‘I think it’s brilliant,’ Murray said of the decision to bring a new WTA 500 tournament to Queen’s. ‘I actually just met the last winner (in 1973), Olga Morozova, who actually coached me when I was 12, 13, years old. 

‘I think it’s a great chance for the women to showcase themselves out here, and you got some great players.’